Christian school getting finishing touches

A handful of construction workers were busy putting the finishing touches on the new Clovis Christian School Thursday morning.

The ceiling and floor tiles have yet to be placed, but Superintendent Steven Medeiros said the work will be completed and students will move into the building Jan. 8, 2008.

The school, which will house 160 kindergarten through sixth grade students, is located just east of Norris Street off 21st Street. Medeiros said the school cost $3 million to construct. “This school was entirely built by donations,” he said.

Medeiros said there were two driving factors behind the decision to build a new elementary school.

“We have almost reached capacity at our old building,” he said, “and God had given us a vision to build a new school to prepare for Clovis’ growth.”

The new, beige brick building sits at the edge of 40 acres owned by Clovis Christian Schools, Inc., and features 14 classrooms, an administrative office area, art and music rooms and a full-size gym. The large classrooms have blue carpeting and the halls will feature black and gold tile, which are the school’s colors. Medeiros said the school does not include a cafeteria because all food is delivered by local restaurants.

Medeiros said parents and teachers will begin moving furniture into the new facility over the Christmas break.

The superintendent described the contrast between the new campus and the existing Hinkle Street location. Medeiros said the building that now houses the school was constructed in 1914 and is difficult to heat and cool.

“This (new school) is state-of-the-art,” Medeiros said. “It is wired for computers and is equipped with a bell and intercom system.”

Clovis resident Tim Ashley, who has three sons attending Clovis Christian, said the new school is a blessing.

“I’m excited,” Ashley said. “We (Clovis Christian School) have seen a huge increase in attendance over the last five years, so this will ease the space issues.”